Report: World Cup manager has data on £50m Chelsea player and it's not looking good for him
Reports have claimed that Gareth Southgate is using FIFA data in order to assist him in selecting the England line-up to face Senegal.
According to The Telegraph, the numbers are not favouring a return to the starting 11 for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling.
The 27-year-old was dropped for the final group match against Wales, after starting against both Iran and USA earlier in the tournament.
Despite finding the net in a scintillating performance in their opener, fortunes changed drastically when they were held to a 0-0 draw with Christian Pulisic’s side.
After dropping to the bench, his two replacements, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, both found the net in a dominant England victory.
Now, Southgate’s loyalty to Sterling which has lasted a number of years is facing its toughest test yet.
Sterling could be dropped again
The Telegraph have reported that his place in the starting line-up is hard to justify based on the numbers produced in this tournament.
The England manager of course may consider the importance of the forward to him in the past, with it being on show particularly at the last European Championships.
Sterling scored every goal in the group stages of the tournament, before opening the scoring against Germany in the round of 16.
Chelsea fans will have been hoping a strong set of international showings will have seen him return to Stamford Bridge in better form than when he left.
After signing for nearly £50m in the summer, the 27-year-old has struggled to make the desired impact at his new club.
He was looking to become more of a star player after moving from Manchester City, where he was struggling to nail down a starting role amongst the talent that was available at the club.
If he is handed another start this tournament, he will have to make it count.
